CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE
Ryokan Tosen Gyoen
Kita, Kobe
Japan
November 17, 2006
Ryo woke up when he heard someone moving around in the room to discover Bikky standing. He seemed to have trouble with the belt on the yukata the hotel provided for all of them. From the futon next to him, he heard a chuckle and then Dee sleepily say, "Just tie it like a robe, Biks. You're not going out in it."
"What will Oba say?" Bikky asked.
"That tying it is just fine," Dee assured him.
Ryo watched as Dee sat up, tossing the duvet aside. He looked down at Ryo and ran his fingers through Ryo's hair, making him sigh.
"Time to get up, I guess," Dee said with amusement.
"Eww Dad," Bikky said. "Bad enough I had to hear you two smooch last night."
"Just saying good night, Biks," Ryo said and yawned. "And don't tell us about that or we'll tell you about the smooching we heard going on on the patio last night."
"Watching the view, my ass," Dee commented with amusement.
"It was more like Carol's ass, I'm sure," Ryo remarked. "Among other parts."
"Was that why you decided to invade the onsen?" Bikky asked, turning red. "And drag your poor grandmother along, too?"
Dee laughed and looked up toward the doorway. "Nah. It was Obāsan's idea. She was all for using the private onsen for a good soak before bed. We paid enough for it anyway, so might as well use it."
Ryo looked where Dee's attention was and smiled as he found Sakura and Carol, standing in the doorway. Both were dressed in yukata and holding the twins.
"I was about to wake you up when I heard Bikky moving. Darin and Ryoko are fed and going to relax for a bit before we dress them to go out," Sakura stated with a smile. "Bikky, you are fine with your yukata tied like that. Asa gohan will be here soon, and then we can get ready for our day."
"Aww," Ryo commented. "They look adorable," he added, about Darin and Ryoko.
"I guess they didn't get to use them last night," Dee said. The night before, after they ate the kaiseki style meal that was bought to the room shortly after they checked in, Dee and Ryo gave Darin and Ryoko baths and got them dressed for bed, and then settled them in the crib provided by the hotel in the main bedroom.
The day before they woke up bright and early in Fukouka and decided to have breakfast while they were out. Dee and Ryo did stop at the café in the hotel after checking out to get coffee for Dee, Ryo and Bikky, and tea for Sakura and Carol. By the time they came out to join Bikky, Sakura and Carol, the van was loaded waiting in the front for them.
They went to Ohori Park, where they walked around. Carol did a video at Ukimido Pavilion, a red bridge from one of the islands in the middle of the lake to a red pavilion. It reminded Ryo a little of the pond at Ueno Park, only there were no lily pads. There were duck boats, but since they didn't have little ones except for Darin and Ryoko, no boats were taken out that time. They had a long drive when they were done with sightseeing in Fukouka. The strip of land in the middle of the lake extended from the south end to about ¾ of the lake, and it was really a series of long, narrow islands with bridges to cross to go from one to the other.
Dee had parked in the parking lot for both the park and the castle ruins and entered the park on the south end. After they walked along the islands and back, they went over to the castle ruins for a while. On the way out of Fukouka, Dee took a detour to stop at the Dazaifu Tenman-gu. With a smirk, he announced that they were at the Shinto shrine for Carol and Bikky, and let his grandmother explain that it was a shrine dedicated to the god of learning, and how many students and families came from all over Japan to the shrine to pray and leave wishes to get into good schools. Which was exactly what they did, Dee joking they needed all the help they could get for Bikky to get into a good college and it was never too early. Ryo was very amused when it was Dee who wrote their wish for Bikky on a wooden board and hung it with the others. Sakura made sure they all stopped to prayer at several of the lesser shrines as well as the main one. Sakura helped Carol write her wish to get into a good school that she would love going to, including some study in Japan. Ryo had noticed Dee had added that for Bikky too, since their son had mentioned several times that he wouldn't mind going to school in Japan for a semester as an exchange student or be a full-time student like Dee was. Sakura bought amulets for Bikky and Carol for their studies, and for Ryoko and Darin to continue to be healthy babies. When they were done with walking around the grounds, they bought something to eat at a cafe at the shrine and then hit the road to Kobe.
Originally Dee and Ryo were planning on leaving Fukuoka by 2 pm with an estimated arrival in Kobe by 9. There wasn't much that Dee and Ryo wanted to see, except for Bikky and Carol to come back to New York saying they were in Kobe. However, they ended up leaving just after noon, and stopped only for bathroom breaks and getting food to go, mostly korokke and kare pan – curry bread, the dough coated with panko and deep fried, and drinks. They arrived in Kobe just after 7:30 pm. Ryo was driving at the time and took them along the waterfront and stopped at Merikan Park on the waterfront where the Kobe Tower was to enjoy the evening view, before going to the hotel which was at the base of Mt. Maya near the Shin-Kobe Station.
They had reservations at a ryokan. The main entrance was a large dark wood traditional building that held reception, a café and restaurant, as well as one of the onsens. The rooms were in newer buildings connected to by passages. The new buildings still had some of the older style to them. The path to the building their room was in went over a small creek. On the ryokan's grounds were a couple of Japanese gardens, outdoor and indoor onsens.
For once, Dee and Ryo decided on more traditional than the suite they had in Osaka, and everyone would be staying in the suite. Their suite in Osaka was very Japanese, but there were four sleeping rooms with platform beds. The suite in Kobe was three rooms. There was the main bedroom with two Japanese platform beds. Next was a family lounge/dining area. There was no Western furniture in the room, not even a chair or couch. There were plenty of zubuton and zaisu with a low wood table in the center of the room. It also had a TV and radio. On the other side of the lounge was a tatami room for additional guests to sleep. Dee and Ryo gave Sakura and Carol the bedroom, while Dee, Ryo and Bikky rolled out the futons in the tatami room for the night. The first-floor suite had its own entrance, and a genkan where shoes were required to be removed before going into the suite.
It was a relaxing evening with a good meal, with sake and plum wine for the adults and tea for all. Bikky and Carol had raided a vending machine at one point and returned with other soft drinks for the night. They soaked as a family in the private onsen on the patio of their suite, which overlooked one of the gardens that was lit up with bonburi lights that looked like candlelight inside the paper lanterns but were LED bulbs. When they got out of the onsen, Sakura decided to call it a night, while Dee, Ryo, Bikky and Carol enjoyed the rest of the wagashi that was bought to their room when their dinner plates were collected as they watched some TV until they went to bed after making sure Ryoko and Darin were fed. Sakura had insisted that the crib be in the main bedroom so Dee and Ryo carefully took them out of the bedroom in to the lounge to feed them while Bikky got ready for bed. Carol was already in her nightgown under the complimentary yukata. They did notice among the yukatas two infant sized ones, but instead of cloth belts to tie, they closed with Velcro. A note with the yukatas and the soft slippers stated to please take them when leaving the ryokan as a gift.
Carol and Sakura went back into the lounge, along with Bikky while Dee and Ryo got up and put on their yukatas before joining the others in the lounge.
Their breakfast, asa gohan, would be delivered soon. Sakura started to use some common words in Japanese life that she felt Bikky should get used to, even when she was speaking primarily English. She encouraged Bikky to start using them, especially while he was still in Japan. Ryo suspected that the words she used will increase with time. Ryo thought it was a good idea and agreed with her when she suggested to him and Dee to continue using those words in New York and continue to add as Bikky got used to the ones already introduced.
When they entered the living area Ryo figured there was some service to their room because there was already a pot of coffee in a thermal carafe. There was also tea, along with cups, sugar, cream and honey. Ryo really enjoyed their stay at the ryokan, as short as it was considering the time they checked in the night before, and thought it was well worth the money they had paid for the room. It was strange in a way, checking into a hotel they did not own and having to pay for the room, but they could afford it now. Even Dee did not blink when he saw the suite would come out to around $600 for the night. Even without the comfort of couches and chairs, they were still able to relax for the evening, and even enjoy the onsen. The dinner was fantastic as was the wagashi. He was looking forward to their traditional Japanese breakfast knowing it was going to be every bit as good as dinner was.
After the last week and a half, it was good to have a night to just relax. When Bikky first heard they were going to stay in that night, he started to protest, asking if at least he could go out with Carol, but Dee and Ryo decided it was going to be a family night in. Which was why they did make a stop at the park and walk around a little before going to the hotel.
At least it was relaxing for him and Dee until Ryo's grandfather called just as they got into bed, with news about the investigation on who was giving money to the ACC.
As expected, Harriet, who had major shares in MacLean TransAtlantic Ships before it was all transferred in Dee's name through Estelle, was one of the contributors, along with her siblings. They funneled money from a MacLean account that was connected to a petroleum company her father started but had been completely bought out by the main MacLean holding company after his death when the company was in financial trouble because of mismanagement. After the buyout, the company managed to once again become one of the major profits for MacLean Holdings. Harriet and her siblings were still allowed access because all their father, Charles Bromley, had put into making the company a success. The Bromley siblings funneled money from that account through a shell company in Atlanta to make contributions to the ACC.
Franklin said that investigations into the shell company was being conducted and he had put a hold into withdrawals from that account until the investigations were complete. Proceedings were also started to cut the Bromley siblings and anyone else in that branch involved with the ACC from all MacLean Holdings controlled money.
Both Ryo and Dee did not have to know as much as Franklin about business to know that it would be a delicate and possibly long process to make that cut legally.
Franklin knew there were others, but they did not find any proof yet and from where the money could have been taken. He assured Ryo and Dee he was working with teams, including his accountants and the FBI side of the CHCU to get more information. Franklin also assured Ryo he was working on options on better ways to handle the family money.
They were watching TV while having coffee and tea when their breakfast was delivered. Dee had Bikky answer the door and let them in. Ryo did not realize how much habit they had fallen into during their travels until he found himself missing the pan they normally had with coffee before going out and finding something for breakfast.
He forgot all about the pan as their breakfast was set out on the table in the lounge. They had broiled miso salmon, slices of sashimi, pickled plums and cucumber, tamagoyaki, salad, fresh fruit, and of course rice and steaming bowls of miso soup with Japanese onion, tofu and plump shitake mushroom, along with some seaweed and small wheat cakes. The only thing that was not finished when they were done was the natto. Sakura had most of it, Dee and Ryo each had some. Bikky had a little of it, but not much, because it was not the type he liked, and he usually liked natto in sushi. Carol had none after the small sample, declaring, "Nope. Doesn't taste better in Japan." Dee and Ryo started to laugh, followed by Bikky and Sakura.
As they ate, Sakura smiled. "It's obvious that you love Japanese food, especially sushi and sashimi," she said to Dee. "And your family seems to share that love."
Bikky nodded his head. "I first thought sushi was icky," he said. "I never had it until I moved in with Pops. I decided to try it and realized it was yum. I was happy it's Dad's favorite food, so we would have it often."
"But what is your favorite Japanese food?" Sakura asked him.
"I thought it was takoyaki and okonomiyaki before I came to Japan. Both my dads are able to make it really good, and Pop's grandmother even taught me how to make it her way. But they taste so much better in Japan, and there's stuff we don't have often and others I never had until now."
"I think Bikky's favorite food is pan," Carol said and laughed.
"Yeah, that is good. We don't have that in New York. Not all the different kinds, and even pigs in blankets taste much better" Bikky agreed. "But kare pan is really good. Korokke is good too. Pops makes korokke at home, but only the meat and potato ones. He uses his Mom's recipe."
"You don't make korokke, Daisuke?" Sakura asked.
"I can. I made it enough in Yokohama. It was one of the cheap things to make," Dee said, "but Ryo makes them better. We can also get it at Mitsuwa with different fillings, especially when they have their food festivals."
"But there are other types of korokke here in Japan that's just as oishii," Bikky said. "Then there's ebi katsu burgers. I never had those until we got here."
"Looks like we're going to be making those in New York," Ryo said. "And teriyaki burgers. We do have hanbaagaa, but never teriyaki."
"Oh yeah, those too. I do hope you make them when we're home, but as good as they are, they probably aren't going to be like having them here," Bikky said.
"What about hanbaagu?" Sakura asked with a smile.
"Both Dad and Pops makes it at times," Bikky replied. "Dad usually serves it with curry… umm kare, and Pops does both kare and brown sauce. I like them both a lot."
"And you know the difference between hanbāgā and hanbāgu," Sakura observed, pleased.
"It took a while, because at first it was all hanbāgā with Bikky, but we finally got him used to it," Ryo commented.
"Yeah, we had to start making hanbāgu more, so he knew the difference," Dee added with a smile.
"That is a good way to teach the difference," Sakura stated. "I approve of your methods. Is there anything else you like, Bikky?"
"I also like ikayaki on a stick. Yuki's noodle soup, especially the udon soup. Oh, kishimen soup and tebasaki," Bikky listed off. "Oh yeah, conbini onigiri. A lot of stuff from conbini." He looked at Dee and Ryo. "Did you know that Lawson's makes awesome chicken? It's not really karaake, and not regular fried chicken, but I guess it's fried because it's coated with panko. And their melon buns, which isn't like the melon pan."
"Don't forget conbini oden," Carol said.
"Yeah, that too," Bikky agreed.
Dee laughed and said, "Basically, I think Bikky's favorite food now is Japanese food. Especially the street food."
"Nothing wrong with that," Sakura said with a smile. "What about you, Carol? Did you decide on a favorite Japanese food?"
"Kushikatsu, I think," Carol replied. "And the broiled miso fish are my favorites, but I love almost everything we've eaten since we got to Japan."
"How did I forget kushikatsu?" Bikky asked. "I wish we could stop in Osaka to get some on the way to Nagoya. Osaka isn't far from here, isn't it?"
"No, not at all," Dee replied.
"We thought about it, but it all depends on lunch here and when we leave for Nagoya. We don't want to be full when we have dinner at Dafydd's and Momo's tonight," Ryo stated.
"I don't think that would be a problem with Bikky," Dee remarked.
"You too," Bikky remarked.
With a grin, Dee held out his hand for a high-five. Laughing Bikky's hand went against Dee's, making Ryo, Sakura and Carol laugh.
"What are we doing today?" Carol asked.
"We'll go back to the park and go up the tower," Dee replied. "But that's after we go on the Kobe Ropeway and walk around at the station in the mountains for a while. We are also meeting Shoji and Yoshikazu at the ropeway."
"Then it should be lunch time and we'll find a restaurant to enjoy some wagyu beef," Ryo added. "I mean, we have to have Kobe beef while in Kobe."
"That's true. Wagyu is yum," Bikky agreed.
"Speaking of, we should finish and get ready to leave," Dee said. "I'm starting to hear babies getting bored with just being in the crib."
"We can put them on their mats in this room while we get ready," Ryo said.
"At least they'll see us moving about," Dee said with a nod.
"Daisuke, please send Shoji a text and let her know we'll be leaving soon," Sakura requested.
"On it, Obāsan," Dee replied and picked up his phone.
"Ryo, what is your favorite Japanese food?" Sakura asked.
"I really do love just about everything, but my favorite still is shichu," Ryo replied. "It was my comfort food when I was younger. Whenever I had a bad day, my mom would make it for me. She used the roux bars for the cream stew most times, but she did have a recipe to make it from scratch."
"I have a wonderful recipe from scratch, so if Daisuke doesn't mind, when you come to my house for dinner, I could make it for you," Sakura said.
"No complaints from me," Dee said. "I enjoy it too. We don't have it often in New York, but we can buy the roux bars for it, along with the brown gravy and curry. I doubt Bikky will have a problem."
Bikky shook his head. "Anything you serve us, I know I'll enjoy, Oba."
"That makes me happy to hear," Sakura exclaimed, pleased.
Since they were checking out soon after breakfast, they were to leave their dishes on the table instead of someone coming to the room to collect them, like the night before with dinner dishes. When they were almost ready, Sakura called down to the front desk to request someone to come to their room with a cart and to have the van waiting for them at the hotel entrance.
At the station for the Rokko Cable Car, Shoji and Yoshikazu were waiting for them, along with their 6 children. Yuuto, their oldest, was 27, graduated from university with a degree in media journalism and was currently working for a local Osaka news team. He still lived at home with his parents and four younger siblings. Katashi was 24 and working on his master's degree in architecture. There was also 14-year-old Yori and the 10-year-old twins that Yoshikazu had Carried, Hotoka and Hiromasa. Hiraku, their 21-year-old son was also there, taking the day off from work. He did not live with his family because he recently moved in with his girlfriend over the summer. All of Shoji's children spoke English very well, like the rest of their family. They were born in Osaka but raised in a bilingual household. Yoshikaza spoke some English when he met Shoji, and over the years his English had improved. Both Japanese and English were spoken evenly in their family.
It was Shoji, through text messages between her and Dee, who suggested they take the Rokko Cable Car and go up Mt. Rokko instead of the Kobe Ropeway, which Dee and Ryo originally planned on taking. The Kobe Ropeway was a cable car that operated along a rope up the mountain, much like a ski lift but the cars were closed in and stopped to board passengers. Shoji claimed it was the obvious choice that tourists took, and she did agree that at some point they should take it, but if they had only time to take one trip up Mt. Rokko, she thought that Bikky would much prefer walking around the Rokko Garden Terrace and the Tenran Observatory more than the Nunobiki Herb Garden. The Herb Garden did have some very nice European style Tudor buildings, but Shoji felt there was more for Bikky to do than look at fake European buildings with an herb garden. She did admit that the Rokko Garden Terrace had some European Medieval style buildings but there were also things a 15-year-old would enjoy more. She knew Carol would enjoy both
Dee and Ryo took her advice, which was backed up by Sakura, and agreed to meet at the Rokko Cable Car station. Another reason they had originally chosen the Kobe Ropeway was because it was next to Shin-Kobe Shinkansen station which was close to their hotel. The hotel was also in the area for Meriken Park and the Kobe Port Tower. The plan was to go up Mt. Rokko for some sightseeing and the view of the city and bay below and then go back to Meriken Park and go up to the observation deck of the Port Tower.
The ride from the hotel to the Rokko Cable Car station ended up being more sightseeing, since they took a route they didn't originally plan. Ryo drove the van, using the GPS and checking against the directions Shoji sent Dee. Sakura stated that she was used to the way they were going, because she had been to Kobe several times by shinkansen, arriving at the Shin-Kobe station and being picked up by Shoji or someone in her family and driven to their house, which was close to the Rokko Cable car station. They were a bit on a tight schedule, but Sakura suggested if Shoji invited them to their house for a bit, they should go.
The ride up Mt. Rokko was a single train car, on a single track going up and down and becoming two tracks at the stations. It was much like the Enoshima electric train line but with a single car. They bypassed the Tenran Observatory going up to the Rokko Garden Terrace, deciding to start at the top, where they went into the shops, went along the trails a little and admired the view of the city below and Osaka Bay. There was an observatory for more views from the mountain. Sakura decided to sit in the café, enjoying green tea and watching Ryoko and Darin, while the others went into the Observatory and then climbed the tower that reminded them of a turret on European castles.
When they found Sakura in the café, they ended up getting soft serve green tea ice cream cones. Sakura was settled at a table in a corner with windows on two sides looking out at the mountain views as they enjoyed their ice cream.
Next, they went out to the parking lot, where they got on a bus that went around to the various attractions in the area. They could have driven up to the terrace, but everyone had agreed that taking the cable car up the mountain was part of the experience. Having a bus going to all the attractions made it easy to get to the Country House and park not far away. There was a ski lift going directly down from the terrace, but Sakura wasn't too keen on ski lifts. Besides, it would be awkward and even dangerous trying to get on the lift with the twins, even if Dee and Ryo had them in the harnessed slings. The bus was the best way to see the park, and still stay in a group.
As they explored the area surrounding the terrace, Ryo talked to Yuuto about Elena and Rick and their career as photojournalists. Yuuto was not the only one who found the documentary they were currently working on fascinating. Ryo answered whatever questions he had answers for and promised to get the answers he didn't know at some point soon. Dee pointed out that whenever Yuuto found time to visit them in New York, most likely Elena and Rick would want to meet them and they could get more information on the documentary, and even on life as freelance journalists. Yuuto had been looking forward to going to America again, and said that it was becoming more a possibility that he would be sent with a team to the US to cover events on Carriers. Dee gave him permission to let his bosses know that his cousin headed a new Carrier unit, which was a prototype and hoped to see other city police have such a unit, and he would be honored to let Yuuto and his team spend some time with them.
Bikky and Carol was shocked to find an area that had sheep and had to do a video by it. They had Yori, Hotaka and Hiromasa join in, much to the amusement of Dee's younger cousins. Dee commented he suddenly felt like he was back in the countryside of Belfast. The park had a lake and more gift shops to explore. As they walked around, Shoji and her family questioned Dee about the time he spent with the Lanes in Belfast as a child.
On the way down, they stopped at the Rokko Observatory to look around before going back down. Shoji did invite them to her house for a light snack. Shoji and Yoshikazu had a large house in an exclusive area at the base of Mt. Rokko. The house was new and at the end of a cul-de-sac. The views from the house was spectacular, as it overlooked Kobe and the bay. They took some family photos in the garden with the panoramic view behind them. Shoji served oolong tea and castella cake that was sent regularly from her sister, Mie, who lived in Nagasaki, which is considered the origin of castella cake. Shoji put out a variety of slices including plain, filled with youkan, and a green tea castella. Yuuto excused himself, having to go to work, but told Dee he would be in Nagoya on Sunday for the party, and hoped to see them in New York soon. Yori had an exam that afternoon that he could not miss and also excused himself to get ready to go to school. He also stated he was looking forward to seeing them on Sunday.
Both Shoji and Yoshikazu took the day off from work and kept the younger children home so they could meet their cousin before the large party on Sunday. As they ate, they discussed where they would eat after going to Kobe Port Tower. Yoshikazu said he knew a very good restaurant that was popular with locals and somehow avoided the tourists lists. Ryo thought it was best to be like the locals, which was part of the reason for the trip. Sightseeing as tourists was fine, and they were doing plenty of that, but he had hoped to experience parts of their time in Japan as locals and give Bikky that experience to take back with him. When they first made arrangements to go to Japan, Ryo had figured the local part would be in Kamakura through his own memories and with his grandmother and family. He also considered the Tokyo/Yokohama area because of him and Dee. He was expecting the trip around Japan would be purely from a tourist point of view, but now that they had Dee's family meeting with them at several cities, they were able to experience how locals did things. Dee and Bikky were fine with the decision, as long as they got to have Kobe beef while in Kobe.
Ryo drove the van back to Meriken Park, following Yoshikazu, who drove their family van. They added Kobe Tower to the various towers with observation decks in Japan that they had went up and walked around the park some to take more family photos.
Lunch was at a steakhouse in Chinatown in the Motomachi area of Kobe on a covered shotengai. Everyone ordered a lunch set special which was more like a nine-course meal including dessert and, since they all chose the prime cut of beef, lunch came out to close to $100 a plate. Dee mentioned the previous time he was in Kobe, he had settled for one of the cheaper restaurants and had the meal set that cost under 1000 yen, and here he was ordering a set that cost almost 10,000 yen. Shoji explained that her husband discovered the place during a business dinner meeting and decided to take his family there. It had become their favorite place whenever they felt like having steak.
There was a very quick consensus once they started to eat that it was worth every yen spent. Sakura tried to pay for the bill, but Dee was faster and managed to grab the check before his grandmother, paying for everyone, including Shoji and her family. They decided to walk off their lunch exploring the shopping street and Kobe's Chinatown. Dee had parked their van in the parking lot for a nearby department store. Sakura went into a shop that sold gift boxes of Kobe beef, and not only picked up for omiyage for some of the family, but also to have to make at home. After checking the dates, Ryo decided to get for his family and an extra box. Even if it had to be frozen before they got back to Tokyo, Ryo knew it would be a good meal back at the penthouse. There was the grill on the patio, and Ryo was looking forward to grilling some Kobe steak.
In the mall parking lot, as they said their goodbyes until Saturday. Shoji also promised Dee and Ryo to send Kobe beef to them in New York, and since they enjoyed the castella cake so much, she would make sure Mie would send some cakes to them. Mie was supposed to be at the party on Sunday, but Shoji was going to make sure her sister remembered about the cakes.
It was going on 3 o'clock by the time they got back to the van. To Bikky's disappointment, they would not be diverting while driving through Osaka to pick up kushikatsu on the way to Dafydd's and Momo's house.
Dafydd and Momo Fujioka's House
Higashi Ward, Nagoya
Japan
November 17, 2006
Dee drove the van through the streets of Higashi Ward in Nagoya, Sakura next to him in the passenger seat and giving directions. Dafydd and Momo lived just east of Nagoya Castle. It was a new area to Dee, but Ryo was certain they would all know the area very well in time. As they approached the house, Dee commented, "We're not far from the castle, aren't we?"
"No, we're not. Dafydd and Momo can walk to the east gate," Sakura replied. "They don't have a view of the castle grounds, but there is this beautiful park." She indicated the lush green park on the left side of the wide four-lane they were driving on.
"But it's walkable to Papa's house," Dee said.
"Hai," Sakura agreed.
As they approached Dafydd's house, Sakura pointed out where Dee was to turn and go through the gates to Dafydd's property.
Dafydd's and Momo's house was located on a narrow two-way street that had Bikky making small sounds from where he sat next to Ryo. At least Bikky no longer went into a panic, which meant he was getting used to the narrow streets in Japan. It was a big improvement from the first time they went down a narrow street in Kamakura. They had to drive along enough of them since arriving in Japan. At least after Dee made a right from the four-lane street he had been on after getting off the expressway, the streets had only a few people walking or riding bikes along the streets with houses on their left, and a high school on the right. After two blocks, Sakura had him make another right. As Dee made the right, Sakura said the house on their left behind a stone wall was Dafydd's and Momo's house. They couldn't see the house very well behind the trees on their property by the wall.
Sakura had explained that Dafydd and Momo managed to buy the end lot which they were driving along and built on it. They did not use all the lot for their house and for the time, had a yard, and additional parking for large family invasions, but in the future if their family expanded, they had room to add to the house, much like Saburo had done.
Ryo thought that was a wise idea. The house currently was two stories plus the basement. They had four bedrooms plus two tatami rooms that additional guests could sleep in using futons. After making a left at the next corner, Sakura told Dee to pull into the open gate after they passed the house, and onto the driveway alongside the house and park the van in front of the two-car garage toward the back.
Next to Dafydd's house, Sakura said was a small but beautiful shrine. While not as famous as the one they went to in Fukuoka, the shrine had many local students come to it to prayer for good grades and to get into good schools.
The front door opened before they were out of the van and Dafydd came over with a smile. As Dee got out of the van, the twin brothers hugged, and then Dafydd greeted everyone else. As Dafydd helped with Darin and Ryoko, Tatsuya came running out of the house.
"Uncle Daisuke! Uncle Ryo! Cousin Bikky!" he called out, running over toward Dee.
Dee caught the child and lifted him with a laugh. "Hey Tatsuya! Are you supposed to be out here?" he asked.
Tatsuya shrugged before hugging Dee. "I missed you, Uncle Daisuke."
Ryo came around with Sakura, the two of them laughing. Ryo was holding Darin.
"No," Dafydd said, as he came over to them holding Ryoko. "I told him and his brother they were to wait inside."
"I couldn't wait, Papa," Tatsuya said.
The gates to their property started to close as Momo stepped out of the house, holding Kiyoshi's hand. "I managed to catch this imp before he got away," she said. "and closed the gates."
"Uncle Daisuke!" Kiyoshi exclaimed. He started to frown, seeing his twin brother in his uncle's arms.
Ryo looked down at the disappointed youngster. "Hi Kiyoshi."
Kiyoshi started to smile. "Uncle Ryo!"
Momo let go of his hand as the boy charged for Ryo. Sakura took Darin from Ryo, so he could pick Kiyoshi up. The boy happily hugged Ryo with a big smile. "I missed you, too, Uncle Ryo," he said.
"I missed you and your brother," Ryo said, rubbing his nose against Kiyoshi's, making the boy laugh and hug him again.
"I guess that leaves me and Obāsan with getting your little ones into the house," Dafydd said with a laugh.
"I'll help," Momo offered. She quickly hugged Sakura with a smile, and kissed Darin's head. "I trust you had a good trip this week?" she asked Sakura.
"I had a great trip this week," Sakura said. "It was nice getting to know my grandson and his family. And we saw plenty of wonderful sights."
"That makes me happy to hear, Obāsan," said Dafydd. "We can take what you need out of the van after dinner."
"We have perishables we bought in Kobe that will need to go into the house now," Sakura said, going to the back where they had put the things needing to stay cold in the cooler they also used to store cold drinks during their travels.
"Carol and I can help get it in, Oba," Bikky offered.
"Thank you, Bikky," Sakura said. "He's such a great boy," she gushed, happily.
"Don't worry about taking in anything for the chibis, like the playpen and stuff," Dafydd said, leading everyone to the genkan – the house's entrance area. "We still have stuff from when the monsters were their age and took it out for your use tonight."
"This is less traditional than I was expecting of you," Dee said with a teasing grin. "At least you have the shrine next door."
"I thought you got to know me enough to know better," Dafydd said.
"Yeah, I did, but I had to say it," Dee remarked and laughed.
The genkan was a small hall with a door on the left. Dafydd opened it to reveal a larger space behind the curvy wall of the hallway to hang outer wear and store shoes, hats and umbrellas. It even had a couple of one person benches to sit while putting on and taking off shoes. Up the step to the right was the doorway leading into the living room.
"Very modern," Dee observed. "Very Japanese modern."
"Nice," said Ryo. "I like the curve of the wall and your hidden entry space behind the wall."
"No kidding," said Dee.
"Momo fell in love with the idea of the shoe and coat closet when she saw the plans, but the blueprint was to another house that we didn't like the layout of the rest of it," Sakura said. "I told them to go original and get a house designed for them. We had the money."
"We should have enough room for four kids, which we are planning on stopping at, but just in case that changes, we have options to add and build up," Momo said from the doorway of the living room with Sakura next to her. "Bikky and Carol, just leave those bags here while Dafydd gives you a quick tour of the house. We'll see you when you're done."
Before going into the living room, Dafydd took Dee, Ryo, Bikky and Carol on a tour. Also, up the step just past the doorway to the right was the stairs going up to the 2nd floor. Under the stairs were shelves and drawers for storage. Dafydd showed them the toilet, bath and sink, explaining the toilet downstairs was used more frequently than the bath, but it was there in case they had a full house of guests, especially when more than one person needed to shower in the morning.
Dafydd took them upstairs, and showed them the room he shared with Momo, and their walk-in closet. The room had windows looking out to the patio in the back of the house, and a door so they could go on the patio. Next to their room, along the back end of the house was the toilet and sink and then a hall with another door leading to the back patio. The space outside the bedroom and toilet was set up like a lounge and playroom. The bath was off the hall coming from the stairs and entered from the lounge. Along the hall from the stairs were wooden storage drawers and shelves behind sliding wood panels. On the other side of the hall were two bedrooms, which Dafydd let Dee and Ryo pick out which one they wanted to use for the night, leaving the other for Carol. Bikky had already been talked into sharing the room with his small cousins.
Near the stairs was another room, the sliding doors open to reveal what was a Japanese room with tatami floors and opposite the tatami room was a door leading to Tatsuya's and Kiyoshi's room where the boys had built in bunks along a wall. Each bunk had curtains to close off the bunk for privacy. The window looked out the front of the house and the small terrace, which was accessible by a door in the hall. A crib and changing table was in the open living space for Darin and Ryoko. Dafydd also took the time to show Bikky where they stored their futons in the storage space in case during the night Bikky decided he needed to sleep away from two six-year-olds. They heard the doorbell ring, and Dafydd said it was probably Saburo and Yoshio, who Dafydd had invited to dinner, so their fathers could spend some time with Dee that evening.
Dafydd took them back downstairs and into the living room, where they found Sakura sitting with Tatsuya and Kiyoshi on the couch. Near the couch was a playpen, where Darin and Ryoko were settled and taking a nap. They also saw Yoshio sitting next to Ryo, talking to him. Momo was in the kitchen, finishing with preparing dinner and Saburo joined her because he had bought a side dish of freshly made gyoza to add to their dinner. Dafydd explained that whenever they invited their fathers for dinner, they always brought something, just as Dafydd and Momo were in the habit to bring something when they went to their fathers' house. Michi was sitting near the couch while the puppies ran around the living room. Bikky ended up sitting on the floor with Carol, with Mochi in his lap, while the puppy insisted on licking his face, making both boys laugh. Carol had a tiny black puppy with gray and white markings on her lap. Sakura said that as soon as Carol sat down, the little puppy came running over and jumped in her lap, licking her face. The puppy was one of two that were smaller than the rest that Dafydd called the runts of the litter.
They all sat in the living room, telling Dafydd and Yoshio about their week of traveling, as if they were not getting updates from Dee and Sakura. Dafydd was interested in what Bikky and Carol thought about the cities they had been to since Osaka until Momo came into the living room, saying dinner was ready. Dafydd asked Dee to help him make a quick trip to the basement where they kept a spare refrigerator and freezer unit to put the things that needed to stay cold in before joining everyone in their dining room. The bags with the steaks were moved from the hallway and were now next to the stairs to the basement.
The basement was mostly a large space, set up like a playroom, but had a small kitchenette along with the refrigerator and a top open freezer unit. In the back was a utility room with a washer and dryer with an area to sort and fold clothes.
They went back upstairs and into the kitchen. From the kitchen were sliding shoji panel doors to the dining room. The kitchen had a full-size table extending from the island with five chairs – two on each side and one at the end, the other end against the island that had the sink and burners. It was enough for Dafydd's family plus one to eat at and Dafydd said usually most nights when it was just him, Momo and the boys, they ate in the kitchen. Since they had more guests than they could seat at the kitchen table, they were using the dining room, which was in traditional Japanese style with the low table and zaisu chairs. The dining room also had the same shoji panel sliding doors to be entered from the living room, but since this was the first time Dee was in the house, Dafydd took him into the kitchen just so his twin could see it.
On the drive from Kobe, Sakura suggested no one saying anything about Elena's discovery until after dinner. She already had Dafydd agree to drive her home after dinner but knew there would be more than her and Dafydd going to her house, and it wouldn't be for just a drop-off.
After dinner of broiled miso fish, simmered vegetables, rice and miso soup, everyone settled in the living room again, this time with Mochi in Ryo's lap because when the puppy saw Ryo he jumped up and down and whined until Ryo bent down to pick him up. Sakura took a sip of her tea and looked at her family.
"I'm afraid that Ryo got some disturbing news from his aunt in New York," she said carefully.
"What's wrong?" Saburo asked. "Are you going to have to leave Japan sooner?" He looked concerned.
Ryo shook his head. "No, nothing like that. We'll be staying in Japan about a week later than our original return date. But it does involve Ryoichi-san that was upsetting to us, and we suspect the rest of you will feel the same."
"What did my father do now?" Saburo asked.
Sakura placed her hand on her son's arm and stated, "Remember that tomorrow we have the Naming Ceremony and Daisuke's party. I do not want anything to take away from these wonderful events."
"Of course, Okāsan," Saburo stated carefully.
"I will be telling your father the same thing. What your father did was go to New York to see Daisuke."
Dafydd looked confused as he looked at his father. "When did he?" Dafydd asked.
"Before you met Daisuke at Akira-san's party," Saburo commented in a near growl.
Sakura nodded.
"How do you know this?" Dafydd asked, looking stricken.
Dee took out his phone where he had sent a couple of the photos and gave his phone to Dafydd. "Ryo's Aunt Elena was covering the ceremonies at City Hall when our mayor signed the updated bills on Carrier Protection laws. I was invited to give a speech. This was a week and a half before we left for Japan."
"That's Ojiisan watching you give your speech," Dafydd said.
"Yeah. Elena only realized it after she saw the photos Ryo and I sent of this family," Dee stated. "She was reviewing her photos for her documentary and recognized him. She also has video footage of him."
Dafydd gave Dee's phone to Saburo. The older man was suddenly on his feet. "He knew about Daisuke and said nothing to us?" he exclaimed. "Why?"
Dee shrugged. "I wish I could tell you, but I want to know too." Dee ran his hand through his hair. "I want to believe that he came just because he is into Carrier Affairs, heard about the bill signing and went, but I still have problems with that."
Dafydd nodded. "Yeah, so do I. How come he didn't go up to you or even say anything to us. He had to at least suspect you are his grandson. I mean, look at you. It's obvious. I knew the moment I saw you."
"So did I," Momo said.
With her arms folded, Sakura looked at Dafydd. "We all knew it was Daisuke the moment we looked at him. I had no doubt. I didn't need proof. I'm sure my husband did too, but what I want to know is when did he first know. Are you sure you don't remember him coming up to you, Daisuke?"
"I don't think so, Obāsan, but so many people came up to me, including Japanese people living in New York," Dee said. He looked thoughtful. "I really don't think so, the more I think about it. When I looked at him the first time, my first thought is how much he looks like my father, and that I saw some of my features in him too. I would have thought the same thing even without meeting Dafydd or Papa."
"I agree," Ryo said. "That was my thought too the first time I met both your father and your grandfather. I see where you get some of your features, enough that I would have thought that if I saw your grandfather at City Hall. At the least I would have teased you, like I did with Gackt."
"Yeah. I doubt we would have said anything like he was my grandfather or some relative, but comments to tease me would have been made, and there weren't any," Dee stated.
"He stood there and watched you speak and didn't go up to you?" Yoshio asked, obviously shaken. "And said nothing about it to anyone here? That's outrageous!" He put his arm around Saburo in comfort. "I know Dafydd kept it from us for a week, but I understand why."
"So do I. I know I believed it was Daisuke the moment I saw that first photo of my two boys together, but I can also understand the need for proof before saying anything to us. I have to admit, I am glad Daisuke was already in Nagoya when I was told."
"Maybe Ojiisan was also getting proof?" Dafydd asked.
"We know your grandfather," Momo stated, looking angry. "If he wanted proof, he would have had it long before Dee and his family arrived in Japan."
Sakura stood up and held her hand out, taking a deep breath. "Enough asking questions we have no answers for. I think we should get our answers."
"Are you ready to go home, Okāsan?" Saburo asked.
"I am ready to confront your father," Sakura said. "I am not sure I am ready to stay in that house. That will depend on his answer." She looked at Dee and Ryo. "I will assure you that no matter what happens tonight, nothing will affect tomorrow. I will be perfectly happy to act as if there is nothing wrong between your grandfather and me for the day. Daisuke and Ryo, both of you as well as Bikky, Darin and Ryoko deserve that."
"No way I'm going to let him take anything from tomorrow from this family," Dee snapped. "You, Papa and Dafydd, along with everyone else in this family deserve it too." He stood up and hugged his grandmother, kissing her forehead.
"That makes me happy to hear. Let's go and get this over, so we can concentrate on tomorrow," Sakura stated.